Joined: Mar 13, 2004 Posts: 44 Location: United States of America
Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 7:05 am Post subject: Persistent fear of being viewed as a creep or criminal.
I was wondering has anyone in here had fears of being viewed as a criminal? I have anxieties about being near women's purses because I'm afraid something may go missing and it could be blamed on me. I am not a thief and genuinely have zero desire to steal, but for some reason I'm afraid people will blame me for stealing that may occur but chances are never will. Same with other things. Sometimes I'll go shopping or to a video store by myself. Whenever I do this I have a fear of looking at kids or teenage girls because I'm afraid someone will think I'm a pedofile. This problem doesn't exist when I am with friends. I have no such thoughts because I'm with friends and being with friends doesn't look as creepy in my mind. Sometimes I want to go exercise at a local exercise trail. Any normal person would put on their running shoes and just do it. What do I do? I'm afraid someone might be killed nearby and me running in a trail by myself is suspicous (once again... IN MY MIND). Sometimes I just want to go for a walk or a drive with no real goal. This also causes me anxiety because I'm afraid something bad will happen and I may become a suspect. And if I'm a suspect for a crime I'm afraid they'll ask what I did around the time. Telling them I was "just driving" or "just walking" would be suspicious... in my mind. Often when I'm in a parking lot and a woman is walking near me I'll walk as far away as possible so she doesn't think I'm going to snatch her purse or do something else.
I'm wondering what has caused this. When I was younger I was bombarded with tv programming where I heard all kinds of bad stories about people in society. I watched unsolved mysteries, Rescue 911, and a lot of local news and primetime news specials about killers, rapists, and all kinds of stuff. I was totally frightened by the stuff I saw on these programs. Now that I'm in my twenties I'm not afraid of them happening to me. But for some reason I'm preoccupied with being viewed as one of these bad people. Does anyone else have these nonsensical thoughts? Is there a specific phobia for this?
yeah, i have the same problem. but im just scared of being percived as mean instead. i think that everyone thinks that i'm angry all the time. i only feel this whenever i go to work, because i feel like everyone is sacred of me because i'm so quiet and always look away whenever someone talks to me. i get embarassed because i feel like everyone is looking at me and telling each other that i'm mean and they try to avoid me and stuff. sounds weird, but i'm always trying to fake smile, to appear nice, and friendly allthe time, lol. is it this bad for you too flax???
I think when I go shopping I look pretty shifty, I keep looking at the exits to make sure i can get out quick if i get anxious. I have been followed a few times by store detectives...nowadays i just give them the run around..lol.
Joined: Oct 14, 2004 Posts: 112 Location: Australia
Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 2:37 pm Post subject:
I feel the same way. The other night someone left a bag in the backseat of the taxi and I never knew it was there. I had another fare in the back of the car when the operator asked if I had found something left behind. When I dropped the other people off I looked in the back and it was on the floor but I returned it to where the people were but I was stressing out just incase the last passengers had looked in there and stole something. I didn't want to get the blame for something I didn't do so I just mentioned that it was sitting on the floor. Luckily no one complained but I felt really guilty just in case something went missing out of there.
Joined: May 27, 2004 Posts: 24 Location: United Kingdom
Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 4:24 pm Post subject:
Hi Flax, I feel exactly the same when ever I go out too, I find that when I'm walking at a close distance behind, lets say a female, I have to cross over before she gets the concept that I might be following her. I also hate when I go shopping because I feel like the security guards are keeping their eyes on me. I believe its got alot to do with SA though.
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Maybe we should start a crime fighting outfit to prove our innocence.
